Normally the decision wouldn't be the subject's, but the rescue team's commander. Helicopters aren't cheap, and there's no reason to risk a helicopter accident if she can be evacuated some other way, e.g. litter team, wheel or etc.

There may be more to the story. The fishiest part is "she called for the helicopter..." It just doesn't work that way.

I do not understand what it matters which state the woman was from. If she had been from Wisconsin, would there even have been any news on here about her? Probably not. And if she paid for the helicopter, what business is that of any one else? You all gripe when these people get stranded and the taxpayers pick up the tab, then turn around and gripe when the person pays for it themselves. Like ywardhorner said, but meaning it in a whole different context: good grief!

WebTraveler wrote:I do not understand what it matters which state the woman was from. If she had been from Wisconsin, would there even have been any news on here about her? Probably not. And if she paid for the helicopter, what business is that of any one else? You all gripe when these people get stranded and the taxpayers pick up the tab, then turn around and gripe when the person pays for it themselves. Like ywardhorner said, but meaning it in a whole different context: good grief!

You must be from Texas.

You can't find any logic in this thread, bro.. It's just people making fun of someone. It's not "griping," it's just indulgent, gratuitous dissing. Haven't you ever found something funny and/or ironic about someone and subsequently made fun of them for it?

surgent wrote:. The fishiest part is "she called for the helicopter..." It just doesn't work that way.

Yes it does. The woman hired a private helicopter. At least read the first line of the article.

The op commander would be unlikely to allow that. She's the responsibility of the rescue team and by extension the county sheriff (or equivalent agency) until she's handed off to the medical guys. They just don't "give up" a subject, especially one who is injured, just because they demand it or have the money and means to fly in their own helo.

I still think there are holes big enough to park a Buick in with this story.

Regarding the tax-payer comment: rescues are part of the mandate of every county sheriff (or equivalent agency). The tax=payer gets stuck with the bill far more often for the usual day-to-day crime than with the occasional rescue, and furthermore, most rescue teams are composed of volunteers who buy their own gear, and who get paid nothing by the sheriff. County SAR teams are one of the best values for the dollar you'll find anywhere.